WE are not even a quarter of the way through the League Two season.

But Colchester United’s home clash with Yeovil Town tomorrow night seems to have suddenly taken on a little extra importance.

The U’s lie fifth after ten games and have made a really promising start to the campaign.

But if they are to achieve one of their targets of remaining in the top seven for the whole of the season, they can ill-afford another slip-up at the JobServe Community Stadium particularly given the congested nature of the top half of the table.

Colchester are one of seven teams currently on 16 points – and just four points separate fourth-placed Stevenage – who the U’s travel to play this weekend - and Port Vale, who lie in 16th place.

And John McGreal’s side are now nine points adrift of leaders Lincoln City and six behind second-placed Newport County.

If they are to keep on the coat-tails of the top three, a win tomorrow night is vital as they aim to quickly bounce back from their home defeat to Bury.

Colchester have generally responded well to setbacks well, during McGreal’s reign.

They have not suffered back-to-back home league defeats for nearly six months and responded to their only other league loss of the season, against Northampton Town, by winning impressively at Cheltenham Town at the start of last month.

Their chances of securing three points against the Glovers might well depend on the availability of some of their important players.

While Frankie Kent’s hopes of featuring look slim following his ankle injury against Bury, his defensive counterpart Tom Eastman might be a more likely starter after his bang to the head in the same game while striker Luke Norris is a tough cookie and will be hope to shrug off his ankle knock in time to play.

There is also a chance that key midfielder Tom Lapslie might be ready to return after more than a month on the sidelines with a knee injury, which would be a major boost for the U’s.

Whoever lines up for Colchester tomorrow night, it’s clear they will need to produce an improved display against a Glovers side sitting just a point behind them in the table.

Yeovil inflicted a second successive home league defeat on Colchester, the last time they were visitors to the Community Stadium.

The U's will be doing their level best not to suffer the same fate, tomorrow night.